Friday, October 30th, 2009


Pocket bike racing, which is also known in some places as Minimoto or Mini GP racing, is a type of racing using smaller versions of full size racing motorbikes, which are known most commonly as pocket bikes. Pocket bikes are raced around tracks designed for karts. It’s a very popular form of racing in Europe and Japan, and is gaining enthusiasts in other parts of the world, especially in North America.

A typical pocket bike is around a fourth the size of a full sized motorbike, and uses an engine which is about 50cc outputting between three and fifteen horse power, depending on the exact model. Pocket bikes have no suspension, instead they rely on the tires absorbing bumps. Most models weigh roughly forty five pounds. The entry-level models generally produce about three to four h.p., but the more expensive racing models can be much more powerful. The very best pocket bikes for racing have a good power-to-weight ratio. Performance enhancements are sometimes added to increase speed and acceleration. Even though they are tiny, both children and adults race pocket bikes at speeds of up to sixty five m.p.h when raced in good conditions.

Because they are small pocket bikes are easy to transport, and they are cheap to buy which increases their appeal for both adults and children. The cheapest pocket bikes from China are as low as $350 for a no frills model, although you could pay as much as as $6000 for a top of the line Italian bike. Children from around six can learn the motorcycle racing and adults are able to feel the excitement of bike racing without the high costs and heavy risks associated with full-sized motorcycle racing.

Ein Knabe ist nach einem Unfall mit seinem Kleinstmotorrad an seinen schweren Verletzungen im Spital gestorben. Der Schweizer war mit einem «Pocket Bike» in Menziken AG gegen eine Absperrkette gerast.

Nach Angaben der Kantonspolizei Aargau fuhr der 13-jährige Schweizer am Donnerstag auf einem nicht für den Verkehr zugelassenen Kleinstmotorrad, einem sogenannten «Pocket Bike», um 15.30 Uhr auf einem Feldweg zum Parkplatz des Schwimmbades. Am Ende dieses mit Fahrverbot belegten Weges prallte der Knabe gegen eine quer gespannte Absperrkette.

Die Kette traf den Lenker, der einen Helm trug, auf Höhe des Halses und fügte ihm schwere Hals- und Kopfverletzungen zu.

Ryan Folkes in typical action.
Ryan Folkes in typical action.

29 October 2009

RACING prodigy Ryan Folkes is on a fast track towards fulfilling his dream of becoming a professional on the GP circuit.

The mini-moto maestro is celebrating an outstanding track season with a first and second place finish in his two classes.

Bradwell boy Ryan won the Junior B 4.2 and finished second in the Junior Production Low Capacity Road Racing Club Series.

And the 10-year-old’s achievement is all the greater for being the youngest in his division.

Woodlands Primary School pupil Ryan, who has been racing for the last two and a half years, is now aiming to move on to larger-sized GP50 bikes.

He travels as far a-field as Cumbria and Kent to compete in the series and is hoping to find a sponsor to cover some of the costs of competing on the circuit.

Dad Ivan said: “Ryan’s dream is to become a professional motor-cyclist and we want to give him the best possible chance of achieving that.”